"Montana's 30 species of native orchids... An introduction to native orchids was one of several presentations... at the Great Divide Orchid Society's 10th annual show...
Presenter Jim Jensen of Kuna, Idaho... "You'll find more variations in colors than you do in any other native plants," he said. ... Orchids grow in several areas near Helena... Starting in mid-June, mountain lady slipper will blossom above Unionville, in Magpie Gulch and at the Gates of the Mountains... The so-called "queen of Rocky Mountain orchids" has a white pouch, or slipper, surrounded by a sepal and two petals that have brownish or purplish stripes. In the center of the slipper is a golden column. The plant grows to be 1 to 2 feet tall and has a pungent aroma... Another native orchid, Western coralroot, grows at MacDonald Pass not far from Microwave Hill,,, Found in evergreen forests, the pink-and-green plant, which appears leafless, grows 24 inches tall. Numerous pink- to red- striped flowers with small sacs, or spurs, cling to the pink stem. The diminutive but showy fairy slipper grows above Mullan Pass Road, up Dog Creek and in Magpie Gulch... Growing 5 inches tall, the aromatic, bright-pink flower has a dappled slipper with an orange, yellow and white speckled pattern. ... the Swan Valley, with 25 species, is the most species-rich area of the state... Twenty species grow west of the Continental Divide. Moist areas east of the divide are home to 15 species. Jensen urged admirers not to disturb native orchids. Many species are threatened by grazing, agriculture, development and road construction... The Great Divide Orchid Society meets at... the first Wednesday of each month (except July)" URL : http://www.helenair.com/articles/2008/05/19/local/50lo_080519_orchids.txt ***************** Regards, VB _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
